DEVELOPMENT OF FREEZE DRIED SUGARCANE JUICE POWDER

Sugarcane juice is composed by 75 to 82% of water and 18 to 25% of soluble solids, which are constituted by sucrose, glucose, fructose, and lower amounts of amino acids, acids, waxes, fats, pigments, and inorganic salts. Due to its nutritional properties, sugarcane juice has shown potential to fulfill athletes’ energy needs. The aim of this work was to obtain sugarcane juice powder using freeze drying, perform the physicochemical characterization of the raw material and the powder obtained and to determine the powder solubility. The sugarcane juice in natura showed average soluble solid content of 17.71º Brix and ratio of 46.83; its average contents of calcium and magnesium were 33.94mg.100mL-1 and 10.82mg.100mL-1, respectively. The powder showed good solubility and satisfied the legislation requirements with respect to moisture. The water activity obtained (0.49) allowed inhibition of bacterial growth and significant reduction of chemical and enzymatic reactions, contributing to extend the shelf life of product